As a mom of three children in public schools, snow days in New York City often mean a shift to remote learning. Today, the first snow storm of the season fell and my home transformed into a makeshift classroom, complete with laptops, books, and the occasional technology hiccup. But amidst the chaos of remote learning, I found myself pondering a question that weighs heavily on the minds of many parents how much screen time is too much for our children?

In an age where technology is ubiquitous and screens are an integral part of daily life, finding the balance between screen time and other activities can feel like a Herculean task. On one hand, screens offer a wealth of educational resources and opportunities for learning from interactive apps and online tutorials to virtual field trips and educational videos. But on the other hand, excessive screen time has been linked to a host of negative consequences, including eye strain, sleep disturbances, and decreased physical activity.

So how do we strike the right balance between leveraging technology for learning and ensuring that our children’s screen time remains in check? I had to be intentional about setting clear boundaries and establishing clear guidelines around screen time is essential for maintaining balance in your child’s life. Set specific limits on how much time they can spend on screens each day, and encourage them to use their devices mindfully and purposefully.

While screens can be a valuable tool for learning, it’s important to prioritize offline activities that promote creativity, imagination, and physical activity. Encourage your child to engage in hobbies and interests that don’t involve screens, such as reading, drawing, playing outside, or spending time with family and friends.

Sometimes as parents we don’t realize that our children watch our every month, this is why its important to model healthy screen habits. Children learn by example, so be mindful of your own screen habits and strive to model healthy behavior for your child. Limit your own screen time, especially during family meals and other times of shared activity, and prioritize face-to-face interactions over digital ones.

Realize that not all screen time is created equal, so be selective about the content and quality of the media your child consumes. Choose educational apps, games, and videos that align with their interests and learning goals, and monitor their online activity to ensure they’re engaging with age-appropriate content.

Finally, foster open communication with your child about their screen time habits and preferences. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about their online experiences, and work together to find a healthy balance that meets their needs and supports their overall well-being. My children have iPad, so I get to control their content via the family sharing setting also, the Bark app is a good option to gain control of children screen time and content.

As I reflect on today’s snow day-turned-remote learning adventure, I’m reminded that finding the balance between screen time and other activities is an ongoing journey one that requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. By setting clear boundaries, prioritizing offline activities, modeling healthy screen habits, monitoring content and quality, and fostering open communication, we can help our children navigate the digital world with confidence and intentionality.